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ESC-20064 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

ESC-20064 - Geochemistry
Coordinator:
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

ESC-10070
ESC-20001

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

This module will provide a broad introduction to the principles, applications and analytical techniques used in geochemistry. It will expose students to theoretical and practical examples of the use of geochemistry in the geological sciences through problem based practicals. It will enhance both laboratory and field skills and provide experience of geochemical techniques which are relevant to both academia and industry.

Aims
The module aims to provide students with a broad introduction to the principles, applications and analytical techniques used in geochemistry.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/esc-20064/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe the chemical and physical mechanisms governing the transport and fractionation of the elements and isotopes covered: 1
explain the uses of different analytical techniques available to geochemists: 1,2
name and explain the different isotope systems covered and recognise their uses: 1
explain the uses of different elements and isotopes in different geological settings: 1
analyse, explain and interpret a variety of geochemical data sets: 1,2

Study hours

Lectures: 20 Hours
Practicals: 30 Hours
Independent Study Hours: 100 Hours


School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Class Test weighted 50%
Assessment of in-class practical exercises
Open-book practical class test assessing practical skills in geochemistry based on the work completed by the students over the course of the module. Topics could include: radiogenic isotope systems, stable isotopes, geochemical and cosmochemical behaviour of elements, thermobarometry. Tasks on these topics could include: plotting and interpretation of isochrons, description of stable isotope climate records, calculation of pressures/temperatures from mineral compositions.

2: Report weighted 50%
1,000 word illustrated report
Students will produce an individual 1,000 word illustrated report on the acquisition, description and interpretation of a set of geochemical data. The assessment will contain elements of sample documentation, analytical data collection (e.g. SEM data), data processing, data and image descriptions and interpretation, and integration of these into a structured and illustrated report.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025